The Israeli Defense Ministry announced on Thursday it had finalized an agreement with Boeing Co. to purchase 25 next-generation F-15 fighter jets.
The $5.2 billion deal, which includes an option for an additional 25 jets, is part of a broader U.S. aid package authorized by the U.S. administration and Congress earlier this year.
The advanced F-15s will feature enhanced range and payload capabilities and will be integrated with Israeli-developed weapons systems, offering the Israeli Air Force a significant boost in operational capacity.
"These capabilities will enable the Israeli Air Force to maintain its strategic superiority in addressing both current and emerging challenges in the Middle East," the ministry said in a statement.
Starting in 2031, Boeing will begin delivering 4-6 aircraft annually. Eyal Zamir, the ministry's director general, highlighted the new squadron’s importance: "This F-15 squadron, along with the third F-35 squadron acquired earlier this year, marks a historic upgrade to our air power and strategic reach - capabilities that have been essential in the current conflict."